Fifteen years after our first investigation, a follow-up study was carried out
with the purpose of assessing the evolution of schistosomiasis in the locality of
Sabugo, Paracambi, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an area with low prevalence of
the disease. The coprological techniques adopted were spontaneous sedimentation
and Kato-Katz. Out of the 1356 individuals assessed, 13 (1%) were infected
with Schistosoma mansoni. From those, 10 were males, 12 were over 15 years old,
and at least 11 had been infected in Sabugo. All patients presented either the
intestinal or the hepato-intestinal form of the disease, and 8 (61.5%) harboured
light parasitic loads. In 1990, there were 27 (2.7%) infected individuals; less
than half harboured light parasitic loads, with the predominance of moderate
and heavy forms. Although our results indicate an improvement in the
epidemiological situation of schistosomiasis in Sabugo, transmission of the
disease in the locality is still active, especially among young males, and tends
to be acquired during leisure activities.

Keywords:

schistosomiasisRio de Janeirofollow-up studylow-endemic area

keywords:

EsquistossomoseEstudo de acompanhamentoRio de JaneiroÁrea de baixa endemia